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NVAP Reference Guide: Laboratory

Submissions

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NVAP Reference Guide: Table of Contents

Questions, Comments, or Technical Issues?

NVAP Error Report Form

Preface

Introduction

Control and Eradication

Brucellosis

Johne’s Disease

Pseudorabies (PRV)

Tuberculosis

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Scrapie

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Poultry
National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)

Avian Influenza (AI)

Exotic Newcastle disease (END)

Equine Disease

Aquatic Animal

Aquatic Animal National Health Plan

Aquatic Animal Health Activities

Animal Health Emergency Management

Animal Health Emergency Management

Emergency Response Structure

National Response Framework (NRF)

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

National Animal Health Emergency Management System (NAHEMS)

Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (FAD PReP)

FAD Recognition and Initial Response

National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps (NAHERC)

Notifiable Diseases and Conditions

WOAH and International Standards

Cleaning and Disinfection

Importance of Cleaning & Disinfection

Cleaning

Disinfection

Regulation of Disinfectants

Safety

Disease Surveillance

Laboratory Submissions

Animal Movement

Interstate Regulations

Interstate Movement of Cattle, Horses, Swine, Sheep and Goats

Issuing Interstate Animal Movement Documents

International Animal Movement

Issuing International Health Certificates (IHCs) for Live Animal Movement

Common Problems Observed on Certificates for Live Animal Movement
Animal Identification 

Animal Identification

Cattle Identification

Swine Identification

Equine Identification

Sheep and Goat Identification

Fowl Identification

Compliance and Regulations

Appendix

A: 9 CFR PARTS 160, 161, and 162

B: APHIS VS District Offices

C: State Animal Health Officials

D: Forms

E: Other Organizational Information with Contact Points

F: Web Sites

G: Equine Teeth and Aging

Part of your responsibility as an accredited veterinarian is to ensure that specimen

samples sent to a laboratory for testing and certification are properly collected,

prepared, identified, packed, and sent along with appropriate submission form(s).

Most testing for regulatory work involves drawing and submitting blood samples, but

you may also be required to submit other fluid or tissue specimens. When submitting

blood or serum samples, it is important to take precautions to provide adequate

sample volume for testing and to prevent hemolysis, spoilage, or breaking of the

sample tubes.  

Diagnostic sample submission procedures are complex and consist of multiple

regulatory shipping requirements enforced by multiple entities. Due to the

complexity and length of these submission procedures, this guide will explain only

what agencies are involved in shipping regulations and then direct you to several

sources of information if you have samples to submit to the laboratory. For shipment

of samples for regulatory purposes, contact your state animal health official or the

VS Area Office. 
The following are entities involved in the regulation of the shipment of diagnostic

samples:  

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

The DOT has regulatory authority over shipments of hazardous materials. Diagnostic

specimens fall under this category. DOT regulations were revised in 2003 to

harmonize U.S. requirements with international requirements and to enhance the

safe transportation of diagnostic specimens. For further information, consult the DOT

Web site.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

The USPS regulates hazardous material shipments of “diagnostic specimens” sent

through the mail. Their regulations are consistent with those of DOT and IATA for

shipments of diagnostic specimens. For further information, consult the USPS Web

site. 

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

IATA is the trade association of the world’s airlines. The IATA tailors its regulations to

United Nations technical instructions. All shipments of diagnostic specimens by air

must follow IATA regulations, whether sent within the United States or

internationally. IATA regulations are consistent with DOT and USPS requirements for

shipments of diagnostic specimens. For further information, consult the IATA Web

site .

If you need to submit diagnostic specimens in your role as an accredited

veterinarian, we request that you follow the guidance below on how and where to

get instructions on the sampling, packaging, and shipping of these specimens.  

For routine diagnostic samples to be submitted to a State or university

diagnostic laboratory

You should contact the laboratory to determine how the sample should be collected,

prepared, packaged and shipped. Contact information for many state and university

veterinary diagnostic laboratories is available at the American Association of

Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) website.
Most laboratories have websites that guide you to their diagnostic test offerings,

submission forms, and user fees. 

For routine diagnostic samples to be submitted to NVSL

You should visit the NVSL website to ensure you have the current submission forms

and instructions.

You should also visit the NVSL website, which will provide current information on

available tests and user fees.  

For regulatory diagnostic samples to be submitted to NVSL at Ames, IA or

FADDL at Plum Island, NY under the direction of your VS Area Offices

During normal working hours, contact your local VS Area Offices to determine how

the sample should be collected and packaged and where the sample should be

shipped.

For questions on Foreign Animal Disease Investigation submission after

normal working hours

Please contact NVSL directly at (515) 663–7200. This phone number connects you

with the night security at NVSL. Ask to speak with the manager on duty to determine

how the sample should be collected and packaged and where it should be shipped.  

Remember, even when submitting samples directly to a laboratory after hours,

always provide the APHIS –VS Area Office with a copy of the submission information.

NVSL Laboratory submission forms (VS 10–4 and VS 10–4a), including instructions on

completing the forms, on are available electronically.